Facebook in Nokia talks

Facebook is negotiating with Nokia over a mobile tool that could see the social networking site built into hundreds of thousands of phone handsets.

The Finland-based mobile firm is said to be exploring ways of promoting a mobile version of Facebook through specific handsets in the same way that YouTube features on Apple's iPhone, website paidContent said today.

Nokia is also reported to be negotiating with Facebook about buying a small stake in the company and an unnamed executive confirmed that "a partnership is in the works".

Both developments would give Facebook a healthy foothold in the mobile market.

Nokia has set up a number of content deals for its handsets. In December, it announced a partnership with Universal Music to offer unlimited music downloads on certain devices, and in October it revealed video deals with CNN, Sony Pictures and RooftopComedy.

The mobile had a 38% global market share in the third quarter of 2007, according to Gartner, making it the largest mobile handset manufacturer by some way. Its closest rival Samsung had just a 14.5% share over the same period and Motorola 13.1%.

Facebook already offers its own mobile application that can be used to upload photos, notes and to exchange messages on the site, and a look-up function for phone numbers.

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